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I started 2016 in a pub in Dublin with my sister (think a mix between Cheers and Friends), surrounded by people who were both strangers and familiar faces from the last two weeks. There was a countdown that came way too quickly, free champagne, lots of people hugging and celebrating, and this overwhelming feeling that I was on the brink of something really amazing. Sitting there in my little corner at the bar, with Santas all around me on the wall, I remember feeling really small, but also like I was a part of something huge, something important, because I was keenly aware that every person in that place had their own story, and history, and life. Everyone there had their own dreams and fears, and knowing that made the celebration of a New Year, surrounded by all these sweet souls, that much more significant. New Year’s Eve just does something to me. That same feeling I get when I am in a new place exploring…that’s the feeling the New Year gives me. City’s speak to my soul, but new beginnings own it. This year I am making my resolutions less about meeting really specific goals, and more about bettering myself as a whole, as a human with thoughts, and feelings, and dreams, and fears all of my own. 2016 is going to be an amazing year, because believe it or not, we get to decide that. I am claiming 2016 as my year.

Resolutions:

Something for my heart: I really want to write at least 12 songs this year that I really love. Unlike last year, I’m not going to put weekly deadlines or terms on this. It’s important for me right now to get back into writing what I feel because I’m feeling. I think this will be a good way to do that.

Something for my mind: Being in school, I rarely make time to read anything that isn’t for a class. It is so hard to remember how much I love reading, when I’m only reading things for a grade, but every time I open a book and start reading because I want to, everything melts away. For me, it is always one of those things I forget how much I love it until I’m in the middle of doing it. So, this year, I want to read 12 books for me, because I love it and it’s good for me, and not for any other reason.

Something for my body: This is a little generic, but I want to be healthier this year. For me, that means getting back into working out regularly (Because it makes such a huge difference in how I feel physically and mentally), and being more mindful of what I put in my body. It’s as simple as that.

I’m really looking forward to this year, and all that it will bring with it. I have been in desperate need of a new beginning. The last few months of 2015 dragged on for me, but it is a new year, and I’m ready to take it on.

Thank you all for being patient while I took this last month off from writing. It was a much needed break for me. I ended last semester strong with a 3.9 GPA, and am headed into my last semester at Rose next week. I am going to keep posting every Wednesday, and will be booking some more gigs soon. You can expect a few blog posts in the next week or so, because I have a lot to say so far this year.